How to Communicate Effectively With Your Spouse

Communication is an important key to making a marriage last a long time. We have to know how to talk to our husband/wife in order to stay close to one another.

Things You'll Need

• Undivided Attention
• Attentive Listening
• Acknowledgement
• Open Mind & Heart

Instructions

1. The most important key to communicating with your spouse effectively is to provide him/her with your undivided attention. This will let you partner know how much you care about what he/she has to say. Don't try and talk while there are interruptions such as; kids, television, radio, etc.

2. Attentively listen to what your partner has to say. Don't provide any feedback or say anything until your husband/wife is finished saying what he/she has to say. There is a such thing as selective hearing and it is very easy to tune someone out when they are talking. Don't do this because you might miss something important your husband/wife has to say.

3. Acknowledge what your spouse has said once they are finished talking. The one thing I hate the most is to be talking to someone and they don't respond to anything I said. Feedback is always good, especially if it has to do with your marriage.

4. Finally, remember to keep an open mind and heart. You are two different people and won't always see things the same way. There will always be little disagreements in marriage, but make sure you never let them escalate to big ones. Remember through marriage you are one with each other and God. Effective communication will enhance your relationship with one another.

Tips & Warnings

• It is important to remember not to talk to anyone outside your marriage about your personal problems. God has blessed you with a spouse and a best friend to talk to. If you are having problems with your spouse that you can't talk to him/her about, then talk to someone you can trust!!! Of course make sure your spouse is ok with this first!